Acid-modified poly(vinyl acetate) textile sizes

ABSTRACT

Acid-modified poly(vinyl acetate) textile sizes and textiles sized therewith. The sizes comprise interpolymers of 90.5 to 95.5 percent by weight vinyl acetate, 4.0 to 7.5 percent by weight acrylic acid and 0.5 to 2.0 percent by weight of a monoalkyl ester of maleic, fumaric, or citraconic acids. The interpolymers are prepared preferably by latex interpolymerization. They are used for sizing spun polyester and spun blends of polyester and natural fibers.

United States Patent Corey et a1.

ACID-MODIFIED POLY(VINYL ACETATE) TEXTILE SIZES Inventors: Albert E.Corey, East Longrneudow; Donald D. Donermeyer, Springfield,

both of Mass.

Assignee: Monsanto Company, St. Louis. Mo.

Filed: Oct. 15, 1973 Appl. No: 406,508

[1.8. CI... 428/245; 260/296 TA; 260/308 DS',

427/394 Int. C1. B05D 3/02; D03D 25/00 Field of Search 260/296 TA, 30.8US;

117/161 UT, 161 UC, 138.8 F,139.5 A; 427/394; 428/245 References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1973 Corey et a1 117/161 UT 1 Nov. 11, 19753.723.381 3/1973 Corey et all 117/161 UT 3.759.858 9/1973 Corey et a1.117/1395 A 3770,6179 12/1973 Corey et 211. 117/1395 A PrimaryE.rumitter-Wil1iam D. Martin Assistant E.\aminerSadie L. ChildsAttorney, Agent, or Firm-R. B. Blance; E. P. Grattzm; J. C. Logomasini[57] ABSTRACT 12 Claims, No Drawings ACID-MODIFIED POLY(VINYL ACETATE)TEXTILE SIZES FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates totextile sizes. More particularly, it relates to acid-modified poly(vinylacetate) textile sizes and to textiles, especially spun polyestertextiles sized with these materials.

PRIOR ART In conventional loom operations, yarn is sized with an aqueoussolution of a watersoluble material woven into cloth on a conventionalloom with a mechanical shuttle and then the size is removed in a waterbath. Many water-soluble compositions are used as textile sizes, forexample, poly( vinyl alcohols), carboxymethyl cellulose, starch,styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers, acrylic copolymers and vinylacetate copolymers. While these sizes have been adequate for naturaltextile fibers and for many of the synthetic textile fibers, theyexhibit deficiencies in the sizing of yarns of spun polyester and spunpolyester blended with natural fibers. Poly(vinyl alcohols) lack ease ofremovability from the sized yarn and are difficult to recover oreliminate from the waste stream. Carboxymethyl cellulose is low inSizing efficiency and difficult to recover from the waste stream. Starchis similar to carboxymethyl cellulose in sizing efficiency andrecoverability and is a stronger pollutant because it has a highbiochemical oxygen demand. Styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers aredeficient in adhesion to spun polyester, being easily shed, leaving thetextile fiber unprotected. Acrylic copolymer sizes have good adhesionbut are deficient in strength and low in efficiency. Vinyl acetatecopolymers are, in general, low in efficiency, and lack ease ofremovability from the sized yarn.

Thus, there exists in the art a need for a size for spun polyester yarnswith adequate adhesion, strength, ease of removability, and ease ofrecoverability from the water stream.

SUMMARY OF THE [NVENTlON The above-mentioned need in the prior art isfulfilled by the present invention which provides acid-modifiedpoly(vinyl acetate) textile sizes which, applied to the yarn as the saltof a monovalent cation, are suitable for use on conventional looms.

The textile sizes of the present invention have excellent solubilitycharacteristics, film properties and adhesion to yarns of spun polyesterand polyester fiber blends. Moreover, these sizes are easily removedfrom sized yarns or the resulting fabric using water or aqueoussolutions of inorganic or organic monovalent bases and are readilyrecovered from the wash solution.

One embodiment of the invention comprises a textile sizing solution ofan interpolymer of from 90.5 to 95.5 percent by weight of vinyl acetate,from 4.0 to 7.5 percent by weight of acrylic acid and from 0.5 to 2percent by weight of a monoalkyl ester of maleic, fumaric, or citraconicacids.

Another embodiment of the invention comprises a process of sizingtextile materials by applying to the textile material a textile sizingsolution of the abovedescribed interpolymer.

Another embodiment of the invention comprises textile materials sizedwith the above-described interpolymer.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The sizes of the present invention are prepared byinterpolymerizing vinyl acetate, acrylic acid and a monoalkyl ester ofmaleic, fumaric, or citraconic acids in which the alkyl group containsfrom 1 to 8 carbon atoms. Examples of such monoalkyl esters includemonomethyl maleate, monomethyl fumarate, monomethyl citraconate,monoethyl maleate, monoethyl fumarate, mono-n-propyl maleate,mono-iso-propyl fumarate, mono-n-butyl maleate, mono-iso-butyl fumarate,mono-t-butyl citraconate, mono-n-hexyl maleate, mono-iso-hexyl fumarate,mono-n-octyl maleate, mono-n-octyl fumarate, mono-n-octyl citraconate,mono-iso-octyl maleate, mono-Z-ethyl hexyl maleate and mono-2-ethylhexyl fumarate. Preferred monoalkyl esters are monoalkyl maleates orfumarates in which the alkyl group contains from l to 4 carbon atoms,such as monomethyl maleate, monoethyl fumarate, mono-npropyl maleate andmono-n-butyl maleate since these monoalkyl esters are associated withacceptable rates of interpolymerization and more rapid solution of theresulting interpolymers. The interpolymers contain between 90.5 and 95.5percent by weight of vinyl acetate, between 4.0 and 7.5 percent byweight of acrylic acid and between 0.5 and 2 percent by weight of themonoalkyl ester. Thus, the total acid monomer is in the range from 4.5to 9.5 percent by weight. Below 4.5 percent by weight, the solubility orthe rate of solution of the interpolymer is unsatisfactory. Above 9.5percent by weight, the interpolymer lacks water resistance.

It is a feature of the present invention that while the acid monomers ofthe interpolymer are preponderantly acrylic acid, a minor fractioncomprises the monoalkyl esters set forth hereinbefore. This minorfraction of monoalkyl ester has been found to impart improved solubilityand improved rate of solution to the interpolymer composition thusimproving the efficiency of removal of the interpolymer size from wovengoods, when the size is used as a warp yarn size. This improvedsolubility is achieved with between 0.5 and 2 parts by weight ofmonoalkyl ester per parts by weight of interpolymer.

The monomers are preferably polymerized using latex polymerizationmethods at a temperature in the range of from 40 to 60C. and preferablyat a temperatui'e in the range of from 40 to 45C. At temperatures belowabout 40C. the polymerization rate is too slow and the reaction masstends to coagulate. At polymerization temperatures above 60C., theproduct tends to low molecular weight and lacks the tensile strength andelongation required in the sizes of the present invention. The molecularweight of the interpolymer should be such that the specific viscosity ofa 1 percent solution of interpolymer in dimethyl sulfoxide at 25C. is inthe range from L5 to l2 .0 and more preferably for adequate strength andsolubility, it should be such that the specific viscosity is in therange from 1.8 to 6.0. Solubility is determined by the solution rate ofa film of interpolymer as described herein.

The interpolymerization is carried out using a surfactant whichcomprises a phosphate ester of an alkyl phenol-ethylene oxide condensatewherein the alkyl group contains from 7 to ll carbon atoms. Especiallypreferred are the phosphate esters of tertiary octyl phenolethyleneoxide condensates (hereinafter referred to as PEOPEO) and the phosphateesters of nonyl phenolethylene oxide condensates (PENPEO). Thesepreferred surfactants are available commercially as Triton XQSsurfactants (Rohm and Haas Company) and GAFAC surfactants (GeneralAniline and Film Company), respectively. The amount of the phosphateester of an alkyl phenol-ethylene oxide condensate used will be in therange of from l.0 to 4.0 percent by weight based on the total weight ofthe latex.

in a more preferred embodiment of the invention, the latexinterpolymerization of the monomers is carried out using an anionicco-surfactant in combination with the phosphate esters of an alkylphenolethylene oxide condensate. The use of the co-surfactant reducesthe amount of coagulum in the resulting latex and provides a betterproduct. The preferred co-surfactants used in the present inventioninclude alkyl sulfonates such as sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate',fatty alcohol sulfates such as sodium lauryl sulfate; dialkylsulfosuccinates such as sodium dihexyl sulfosuccinate; etc. The amountof co-surfactant used is in the range of 0.3 to 1.0 percent by weightand more preferably 0.40 to 0.60 percent by weight based on the totalweight of the latex. The co-surfactant is preferably added continuouslyduring the polymerization reaction.

The latex polymerization processes are initiated by a two componentredox free radical initiator system. Suitable oxidizing components forthe system are the inorganic peracid salts such as ammonium, potassiumand sodium persulfates. perborates. and hydrogen peroxide. Preferred,however. are the oil soluble organic hydroperoxides such as t-butylhydroperoxide. cumene hydroperoxide. p-menthane hydroperoxide, etc. andesters of the t-butyl perbenzoate type. The useful reducing componentsinclude compounds like the sulfites. bisulfites. hydrosulfites andthiosulfates; ethyl and other alkyl sulfites'. the sulfoxylates, such assodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate; and the like. Especially preferred areinitiator systems based on t butyl hydroperoxide and sodium formaldehydesulfoxylate; and redox combinations such as mixtures of hydrogenperoxide and an iron salt. hydrogen peroxide and zinc formaldehydesulfoxylate or other similar reducing agent; hydrogen peroxide and atitanous salt; potassium persulfate and sodium bisulfite and a bromatemixed with a bisulfite.

The use of equimolar amounts of initiator system components is generallypreferred although the amount of each component as well as the totalamount of catalyst used depends on the type of component used as well ason other polymerization conditions and may range between .02 and 0.4percent by weight of the total polymerization system, the preferredrange being 0.03 to 0.20 percent for the oxidizing component and 0.04 to0.20 for the reducing component.

The solids contents of the interpolymer latices can be varied over awide range. The preferred latices having a solids content in the rangeof from to 65 percent by weight and more preferably from 35 to 55percent by weight, based on the total weight of the latex.

During the polymerization reaction, a conventional base such as ammoniumhydroxide or sodium hydroxide is used to buffer the latex to a pH in therange of 4.0 to 6.0.

The textile size solution may be prepared from an interpolymer latex inseveral ways. In one method. an aqueous solution of base is mixed withthe latex to dissolve the interpolymer by formation of the water solubleinterpolymer carboxylate. Suitable bases include the hydroxides,carbonates and bicarbonates of alkali metals such as sodium hydroxide.sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate; ammonia. organic bases such asmethylamine. dimethylamine. trimethylamine, ethylamine. diethylamine,triethylamine, morpholine. etc. The preferred base in the preparation ofa loom finish size is ammonium hydroxide since it contributes to goodadhesion and resistance to water. water spotting and dry cleaning. Thepreferred base in the preparation of removable warp yarn size is sodiumcarbonate since it contributes to rapid solution of the interpolymer.good adhesion of the interpolymer size to spun polyester yarn and rapidremovability of the size from the woven goods. A particular advantage ofthe interpolymer latex is that the fine size of the interpolymerparticles allows rapid solubility of the interpolymer in aqueous base toform the size solution.

Another method for preparation of the textile size solution comprisesthe recovery of the interpolymer from the latex by conventional meansand solution of the interpolymer in an organic solvent. The size is thenapplied to the textile yarn as an organic solution and may be removedfrom the woven goods with aqueous base or organic solvent.

Preferred organic solvents for preparation of size solutions and removalof size are alcohols. ketones, esters and aromatic solvents. Especiallypreferred are chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons such as methylenechloride, methylene bromide, chloroform. bromoform, ethylene dichloride,ethylene dibromide. ethylidene chloride. ethylidene bromide,s-tetra-chloroethane, hexachloroethane, s-dichloroethylene. l l l-trichloroethane, l,l,2-trichloroethane. trichloroethylene. trimethylenebromide, trichlorobromoethane, trichloromethane, l,2.3-trichloropropane,l l ,2-trichloropro pane, trifluoro- 1 l ,Z-tribromoethane, trifluorol l,2- trichloroethane. 2,2-dichlorol -bromoethane, l .3-dichloro-Z-methylpropane, l.Z-dichloro-Z-methyl-propane,l,l-diiodoethane and the like. Chlorinated aliphatic liquid hydrocarbonsare preferred in the practice of this invention because of theirgenerally lower cost, greater availability. non-flammability, lowtoxicity and ease of recovery.

A further advantage of the interpolymer compositions lies in theirrecoverability. The aqueous solutions of the interpolymer obtained byscouring of the sized goods are acidified with strong acid to a pH lessthan about 3.5. The interpolymer is precipitated and recovered byconventional means such as filtration or centrifugation. It is thenredissolved in aqueous alkaline solution or organic solvent to formfresh sizing solution.

The following examples are set forth in illustration of the presentinvention and should not be construed as a limitation thereof. Unlessotherwise indicated, all parts and percentages given are by weight.

PART A-PREPARATION OF LATlCES EXAMPLE l A latex is prepared in aconventional latex polymerization kettle equipped with an agitator and aheating and cooling system. The charges listed in Table l are used.

Water and sodium hydroxide are charged to the reaction vessel. Thesolution is purged for IS minutes to remove oxygen. The PEOPEOsurfactant and sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate are added to form ChargeA. Charges B and C are prepared by adding t-butyl hydroperoxide solutionand sodium dihexyl sulfosuccinate to the respective quantities ofmonomers. Charge B is then dispersed in Charge A. The batch is mildlyagitated and maintained at 42 to 44C. while Charge C is added over 2 /2hours.

The resulting latex has a total solids of 43.0 percent. a pH of 4.9 anda Brookfield viscosity of 27 cps. at C. The coagulum is 0.1 l weightpercent of the solids. The interpolymer has a specific viscosity of 2.30in dimethyl sulfoxide at a concentration of l g. per 1011 ml. Theproperties of the latex interpolymer are tabulated in Table 1 below.

EXAMPLES 2 to 6 The following Examples 2 to 6 are set forth toillustrate variations in the latex polymerization of the presentinvention. 1n each case. the general procedures of Example 1 arefollowed except for the noted changes. Polymerization temperatures aremaintained in the range from 41 to C. The resulting latices have solidscontents in the range of 40 to 47 percent by weight. pH in the range of4.5 to 5.5, and Brookfield EXAMPLES 7 to 11 The following examples areset forth to illustrate the use of various acid comonomers in thepreparation of the interpolymer latices. The latices are prepared by theprocedure described in Example 1. Composition data for the interpolymersare presented in Table 11. la

viscosities in the range from 10to 1511 cps. at 25C. The 39 every case.a satisfactory latex and textile size is ob examples are tabulated inTable l. tamed.

TABLE 1 EXAMPLES 1-6. COMPOSITION AND PROPERTIES EXAMPLE 1 2 3 4 5 6Charge A (parts by \\eight) Water 54.41 54.41 51.91 52.24 51.91 54.41Sodium hydroxide 11.11% (1.18 (1.111 11.18 11.18 (1.18 PEOPEO1711'J12.25 2.25 2.25 2.25 2.25 2.25 Sodium formaldehyde (1.1112 (1.111211.1112 11.1(12 11.1112 11.1112 sulfoxylate Charge B (parts by weight)t-hul. \l hydroperoxide (911') 1 11.111143 11.111143 11.111139 (1.111139(1.111139 11111141 \'in \'l acetate 2.75 2.75 2.63 2.64 2.111 2.62Acrylic acid (1.1115 11.1115 (1.147 (1.148 (1.155 11.147 Monomethylmaleate (1.1123 11.1123 (1.1122 (1.1121 11.1142 11.1133 Sodium dihexyl11.1134 11.1134 (1.11. 1 (1.11111 11.1131 11.11. 3 sulfosuccinate ChargeC (parts by \\eight1 t-huty| hydroperoxide (1.11511 (1.1158 (1.1158(1.1158 11.11511 11.11511 Vinyl acetate 37.18 37.111 39.65 39.66 39.1937.15 Acrylic acid 2.22 .22 2.21 2.21 2.33 2.1111 Monomethyl maleate11.32 (1.32 (1.34 11.32 11.63 (1.411 Sodium dihexyl 11.47 (1.47 (1.4-711.47 11.47 (1.47 sulfosuccinate Monomer Weight Ratio Vinyl acetate93.95 93.95 93.95 94.111) 93.11 93.58 Acrylic acid 5.25 5.25 5.25 5.255.5 5.25 Monomethyl maleate 11.811 (1.1111 (1.1111 11.75 1.5 1.171MBM1"Latex Solids. Weight Percent 43.11 44.7 411.1 45.11 46.4 4211 PolymerProperties" Specific viscosity 2.311 1.711 3.311 3.117 3.211 3.59Tensile strength. psi. (1591 28311 11711 28211 32711 26511 3111111 R.H.Elongation. 1'. 2 R.H. 31111 711 4511 4211 4711 17 Tensile strength.psi. 1111 1 24611 7511 2341) 26311 18911 22511 R.H. Elongation. .11.811') RH. 6311 5711 (1411 5611 (1711 56111 Polyester adhesion. lbs. 29111711 241) 2311 2511 175 "MBM monon-hutyl maleaie "Tensile propertiesdetermined \\ith the ammonium salt.

In the foregoing Table l. specific viscosity measurements are determinedon solutions of interpolymer in dimethyl sulfoxide (1 g. per m1.) at25C.

TABLE 11 EXAMPLES 7-1 1 EXAMPLE 7 8 9 111 11 Polymer Wt. '1 of Latex 311-18 311 43 -13 Weight Ratio o1 Monomers \'inyl acetate 911.5 95.11 911.593.11 93.11 Acrylic acid 7.5 4.11 7.5 6.11 6.11 Monoavoctyl maleate 2.11Monom ethyl fumarate (1.5 Mono-iso-octyl l'umarate 2.11 Monodsopropylmaleate 1.11 Monom-amyl citraconate 1.11

PART B-TESTING OF THE LATIC'ES AS TEXTILE SIZES The latices prepared inExamples 1 to 5 are tested in order to determine their suitability asyarn sizes in conventional weaving processes. The sizes are prepared bydissolving the latex in a basic solution such as aqueous sodiumcarbonate. aqueous sodium hydroxide or aqueous ammonia.

The key properties considered in these tests are listed below:

Sizing solutions prepared from the latices of Exam ples l to 6 bysolution in aqueous ammonia, sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate haveBrookfield viscosities in the range of from 5 to 500 centipoises at 5 topercent solids at a temperature of 170F. allowing easy application andcontrol of the amount of size added to the yarn. V iscosities determinedat C. on solutions containing 10 weight percent of interpolymer are usedfor comparison of the interpolymers. In general, a viscosity of at least200 cps. at 25C. in a 10 weight percent solution is preferred to provideadequate viscosity in the sizing solution at the higher temperaturesconventionally used in sizing textile yarns.

Adhesion solutions of the latex interpolymers of Examples l6 have beentested and are found to have good adhesion to the following yarnsFilaments: polyester, acetate, rayon and texturized polyester; Spun:polyester, rayon, cotton, wool, and blends of polyester with rayon,cotton and wool.

Solubility in Organic Solvent size solutions of interpolymer latex inaqueous ammonia are applied to yarn and dried. The dried films arereadily soluble in chlorinated hydrocarbons.

Solubility in Aqueous Solvent 5 mil films are cast either from ammoniaor sodium carbonate solutions of interpolymer. Two square inch samplesof film are weighed. The samples are immersed in 100 g. of solvent andstirred with a magnetic stirrer at a rate sufficient to create a slightvortex. The time taken for the samples to dissolve at 80t2C. isdetemiined. For films cast from sodium carbonate solutions, the solventis water; for films cast from ammonium hydroxide, the solvent is 025Weight percent aqueous sodium hydroxide. Based on the assumption thatthe rate of solution is constant over the time taken for solution, ratesare calculated and are given as milligrams per square centimeter minute.

Size Efficiency is a measure of the amount of size add-on required in agiven operation. The add-on is the amount of size that must be appliedto the yarn in order to permit it to be woven on a loom. in general, theless size add-on required. the more efficient the size. Sizes preparedfrom the latices of the present invention have high efficiency as isindicated by the following Examples 12-15.

Weaving Efficiency is a measure of efficiency of weaving of the sizedwarp yarn into a cloth or sheet construction. It is expressed as apercentage ratio of the number of yards woven in unit time versus thenumber of yards which would be woven if the loom had no stops in theunit of time.

EXAMPLE [I An eight percent solution of the interpolymer latex ofExample 3 is made by dissolving 210 pounds of latex (46.1%) diluted toproper solids with six pounds ammonium hydroxide (2892]. The mix isheated for 20 minutes at 190F. and is diluted to 125 gallons. The sizesolution thus obtained is applied at 170F. to a 27/1, 50/50polyester-cotton yarn on a lO-can West Point Slasher, with cans set at240F. The Slasher is run at 88 yards per minute, 13 yards per minutefaster than a conventional polyvinyl alcohol size. Size add-on is 10.4weight percent. The split is easy, with no can sticking or ends outduring doffing and leasing. The warp is woven on a DSL loom at a highefficiency equivalent to that obtained with a conventional hydrolyzedpolyvinyl alcohol size.

EXAMPLE 13 A 9.5 percent solution of the interpolymer latex of Example 4is made by dissolving 380 pounds of latex (41%) with 20 pounds of NH OH(28%) to pH 9.2. Seven pounds of mill wax and one'half pound defoamerare added after solution of the interpolymer is complete. The solutionis diluted with water to yield 200 gallons of sizing solution. Thesizing solution is applied to a 39/1, 65/35 Polyester/Rayon blend on a9-can West Point Slasher. Cans 18 are run at 235F., the 9th can atambient temperature. The Slasher is run at 45 yards per minute at 170F.Size add-on is 10.8% The warp is free of can sticking or ends out duringleasing. The solution is free of skinning during slashing. The warp iswoven at 93% efficiency in a 88 X 60 bastiste weave. The warp is desizedin /17r NaOH at 180F. The woven goods are uniformly receptive to dye andgive the same dye shade as goods obtained from warp sized with easilyremoved carboxymethyl cellulose.

EXAMPLE 14 A 9.7% solution is prepared by dissolving 210 pounds of thelatex of Example 3 in five pounds of sodium carbonate dissolved ingallons of water. Five pounds of a mill wax and 1 pound of defoamer areadded after the latex has dissolved. The mix is diluted to gallons. Sizesolution is applied to a 26/1. 50/50 polyester/cotton warp at 175F. on a9can Cocker Slasher run at 75 yards per minute. Can temperatures are250F. except for first can which is set at 220F. The split is easy withno can sticking, skinning or ends out during leasing. Size add-on is11.8%. The warp is woven into a sheet construction on a DSL loom at highefficiency.

EXAMPLE 15 An eight percent solution is prepared by dissolving 275pounds of a 46% latex of composition similar to Example 4 in six poundsof sodium carbonate dissolved in gallons of water and finished to 200gallons. The size is applied to 30/1 spun polyester yarn at 11% addon.The warp weaves at high efficiency and is desized readily in watercontaining the usual wetting agents employed in textile desizing.

Sizes which are obtained from polymers prepared by the process of thepresent invention are compared to commercially available textile sizes.The sizes are prepared in the form of aqueous solutions of the sodiumsalt or ammonium salt and are cast as films. The films are dried andtested at 65 percent relative humidity at 72F. for tensile strength andelongation. Solubility rates are determined by the method set forthabove. Data are presented in Table 111.

TABLE III COMPARISON OF SIZE PROPERTIES Solution Solubility ViscosityTensile Rate Polyester l0 Wt. "/1 Specific Strength Elongation (mg/cmAdhesion Size Composition (C.) Viscosity (psil ('70 mini llhs.) A\"A/AA/MMM i850 2.30 2330 300 (i 290 93.95/525/08 (1660] (780) ([2] H\AJAA/MBM 7000 3.59 3000 l7 12 I75 93481 5254127 C A/VP/AA 33 3.44 11350(37in 12 70/2515 D VA/AA 36000 .97 3400 4-40 0.6 150 955/45 VA/AA/DMM100.000 3.35 4270 ll 0.9 90 E 88/5/75 1- Starch (I l) (i PVOH 670 6530140 1.5 50 H CMC lUUMill) 9290 39 9-l0 "'Composition is giuan in ratiosby eight.

Sizes A and B are obtained from latices prepared in the manner describedin Examples 1 and 6. respectively. Sizes C to H are commerciallyavailable sizes representative of the prior art. Sizes A and B exhibithigh solution viscosity necessary for controlled add-on to spunpolyester yarns and high solution rates for eco nomic desizing. Thesolution viscosity of Size C is too low for economical addon of size tospan polyester, while the solution rates of Sizes D. E. F, and G are toolow for economic desizing. Carboxymethyl Cellulose has an acceptablesolution rate. However. it is inefficient as a size because of lowadhesion to polyester and it is difficult to recover from waste water.

EXAMPLE 16 A latex composition is prepared as in Example 1 andcoagulated by addition of acetone. The interpolymer is recovered anddried. It is then dissolved in trichloroethylene to give a 8.0 percentsolution. The solution is used to size spun polyester yarn.

EXAMPLE 17 A latex composition is prepared as in Example l. Theresulting latex is dissolved in aqueous ammonia to give a 8.0 percentsolution of interpolymer having a pH of 9.0. The solution is used tosize spun polyester yarn. The sized warp yarn is woven on a conventionalloom. Size is removed from the woven goods by extraction with 1.1 l-trichloroethylene.

The sizes of the present invention may be formulated with lubricants.defoamers, humectants. plasticizers. softening agents and other adjunctswithout departing from the scope of the invention.

From the foregoing. it should be obvious that many variations arepossible in the present invention without departing from the spirit andscope thereof.

What is claimed is:

l. A method for sizing textiles which comprises ap plying to the textilematerial a solution of the interpolymerization product of from 90.5 to95.5 weight percent of vinyl acetate. from 4.0 to 7.5 weight percent ofacrylic acid and from 05 to 2.0 weight percent of a monoalkyl ester ofmaleic. fumaric. or citraconic acids in which the alkyl group containsfrom i to 8 carbon atoms. I

2. The method as in claim 1 wherein the interpolymerization product isobtained by latex interpolymerization.

3. The method as in claim 1 wherein the monoalkyl ester is a monoalkylmaleate or fumarate in which the alkyl group contains from 1 to 4 carbonatoms.

4. The method as in claim 1 wherein the monoalkyl ester is monomethylmaleate. monomethyl fumarate. monoethyl maleate or monoethyl fumarate.

5. The method as in claim 1 wherein the solvent portion of the solutionis an aqueous base.

6. The method as in claim 1 wherein the solvent portion of the solutionis an organic solvent.

7. The method as in claim 1 wherein the interpolymer in dimethylsulfoxide at a concentration of 1 gram per l00 ml. has a specificviscosity in the range of from i .5 to 12.0 at 25C.

8. The method as in claim 1 wherein the size contains from i to 25percent by weight of interpolymer based on the total weight of theaqueous solution.

9. A sized textile material wherein the size is the interpolymerizationproduct of from 90.5 to 95.5 weight percent of vinyl acetate. from 4.0to 7 .5 weight percent of acrylic acid and from 0.5 to 2.0 weightpercent of a monoalkyl ester of maleic acid. fumaric acid. or citraconicacid in which the alkyl group contains from 1 to 8 carbon atoms,

10. A sized textile material as in claim 9 wherein the monoalkyl esteris a monoalkyl maleate or fumarate in which the alkyl group containsfrom 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

11. The sized textile material as in claim 9 wherein the monoalkyl esteris monomethyl maleate, monomethyl fumarate. monoethyl maleate ormonoethyl fu marate.

12. The sized textile material as in claim 9 wherein the textilematerial is a yarn 0f spun polyester or spun polyester blended withnatural fiber.

1. A METHOD FOR SIZING TEXTILES WHICH COMPRISES APPLYING TO THE TEXTILEMATERIAL A SOLUTION OF THE INTERPOLYMERIZATION PRODUCT OF FROM 90.5 TO95.5 WEIGHT PERCENT OF VINYL ACETATE, FROM 4.0 TO 7.5 WEIGHT PERCENT OFACRYLIC ACID AND FROM 0.5 TO 2.0 WEIGHT PERCENT OF A MONOALKYL ESTER OFMALEIC, FUMARIC, OR CITRACONIC ACIDS IN WHICH THE ALKYL GROUP CONTAINSFROM 1 TO 8 CARBON ATOMS.
 2. The method as in claim 1 wherein theinterpolymerization product is obtained by latex interpolymerization. 3.The method as in claim 1 wherein the monoalkyl ester is a monoalkylmaleate or fumarate in which the alkyl group contains from 1 to 4 carbonatoms.
 4. The method as in claim 1 wherein the monoalkyl ester ismonomethyl maleate, monomethyl fumarate, monoethyl maleate or monoethylfumarate.
 5. The method as in claim 1 wherein the solvent portion of thesolution is an aqueous base.
 6. The method as in claim 1 wherein thesolvent portion of the solution is an organic solvent.
 7. The method asin claim 1 wherein the interpolymer in dimethyl sulfoxide at aconcentration of 1 gram per 100 ml. has a specific viscosity in therange of from 1.5 to 12.0 at 25*C.
 8. The method as in claim 1 whereinthe size contains from 1 to 25 percent by weight of interpolymer basedon the total weight of the aqueous solution.
 9. A sized textile materialwherein the size is the interpolymerization product of from 90.5 to 95.5weight percent of vinyl acetate, from 4.0 to 7.5 weight percent ofacrylic acid and from 0.5 to 2.0 weight percent of a monoalkyl ester ofmaleic acid, fumaric acid, or citraconic acid in which the alkyl groupcontains from 1 to 8 carbon atoms.
 10. A sized textile material as inclaim 9 wherein the monoalkyl ester is a monoalkyl maleate or fumaratein which the alkyl group contains from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
 11. Thesized textile material as in claim 9 wherein the monoalkyl ester ismonomethyl maleate, monomethyl fumarate, monoethyl maleate or monoethylfumarate.
 12. The sized textile material as in claim 9 wherein thetextile material is a yarn of spun polyester or spun polyester blendedwith natural fiber.